Back Pain Sufferers treated by Laser Surgery Breakthrough

 

Image Source:http://www.ani-online.com/blog/spine-surgery-2/the-fact-on-laser-spine-surgery

An innovation, a laser procedure that help patients with herniated disks find more relief than those who have traditional back surgery, a top pain expert says. Herniated disks, a degeneration of cushiony tissue between spinal bones, can cause too much pain and limb numbness. It is a common problem that often comes with aging.

Conventionally, open back surgery was executed to remove the disk. However, minimally invasive procedures have been recognized popularly, says Sukdeb Datta, M.D., medical director of the Datta Endoscope Back Surgery and Pain Center, which operates 10 offices in New York and New Jersey. Minimally invasive procedures are superior to back surgery for several reasons, Dr. Datta told Newsmax Health. They are less painful, have need of less recovery time, and are less likely to interrupt nerves in the foramina, the canals that hold the nerves in the spinal column. 

More information at http://www.newsmax.com/Health/Health-News/datta-back-surgery-laser/2015/08/07/id/669099/

5 Key Points on Global Spine Surgery Device Market seeing Double-Digit Growth

Modernization, clinical developments and economics all of these add to the growing spine surgery device market, according to a MedMarket Diligence report, "Global Market for Medical Device Technologies in Spine Surgery, 2014-2021."

Here are five key points:

1. The global device market for cervical fusion, thoracolumbar implants, MIS spine fusion, interbody fusion and orthobiologics increases in at $9.7 billion.

2. Improved knowledge of spinal biomechanics, growth in spinal instrumentation devices, advancement in bone fusion techniques, more anterior approaches to the spine and the development of minimally invasive methods and robotics have all added to the growing spine surgery device market over the last few decades.

3. Because of these progress, every segment of the spine can now be alleviated.

4. Spine fusion is leading the market as the fastest growing sector.

5. The Asia-Pacific and Central/Latin America areas are subjected to the fastest growth in spine surgery, with spine fusion growth in these areas in the double-digits.

Detailed story at http://www.beckersspine.com/orthopedic-a-spine-device-a-implant-news/item/26872-global-spine-surgery-device-market-seeing-double-digit-growth-5-key-points.html

New Incision Closure that eliminates infection after Scoliosis surgery

There’s a new procedure of closing incisions in patients that after spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis approximately eliminated infections following the procedure in a test group, researchers reported in a new study. Scoliosis is an ailment that causes a c- or s-shaped curve in the spine. It is often treated with spinal fusion surgery that consist of fusing steel rods or other devices to straighten and support the spine.
 

This new technique involves using a flap of skin by assisting doctors to eliminate dead space around the surgical work where infection can grow and be responsible for a better barrier while the body is healing. During the test researchers compared records of 76 patients who were between the ages of 8 and 25 and had scoliosis surgery.

All of the patients had non-idiopathic scoliosis, a type caused by an underlying disease or condition and is often more susceptible to infection. Of the 42 patients who had the conventional procedure, 19 percent had some type of wound problem which is about the number normally expected with this surgery, researchers said. In the group who had the new method on the other hand, there were no complications or infections. 

Detailed story at http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2015/08/20/New-incision-closure-eliminates-infection-after-scoliosis-surgery/3351440104883/

Facts about Doctor Choll Kim of SIOSD

Dr. Choll Kim graduated cum laude from Harvard Medical School and completed his fellowship training in complex spine surgery at the Mayo Clinic. He is board certified by American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is nationwide known expert in the modern field of computer-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery. He has trained specialists throughout the country on the safe and effective application of state-of-the-art techniques using image guidance and navigation technologies. 

Dr. Kim make use of a comprehensive choice of minimally invasive treatments to effectively treat all characteristics of complex spinal disorders, including spinal stenosis, spinal deformities (such as scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and kyphosis), traumatic injuries, tumors, and infections throughout the entire spine from the neck to the low back. A leader in his field, Dr. Kim is the founder of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS), director of the Minimally Invasive Spine Center at Alvarado Hospital and associate clinical professor at UCSD. He is a Qualified Medical Evaluator and a past voting member of the FDA Orthopedic Devices Panel which reviews all new spinal technologies. Additionally, Dr. Kim is an active member of the North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and past-president of the San Diego Chapter of the Western Orthopaedic Association.

To know more about Dr. Choll Kim and his videos visit this link: http://sdspineinstitute.com/ourdoctors/choll-kim-md-phd.html

Watch his Video about O-arm® Technology: How Does It Reduce Spine Revision Surgeries?

Back Pain Quick Relief by Stretching Your Hip Flexors

Low-back pain is now afflicting the nation! And if you bike, run, or sit too much, constricted hips could be adding to the pain around your spine. A major hip flexor muscle, the psoas, not only pulls the thigh toward the abdomen, but is also involved to the five lowest vertebrae of the spine. When the psoas shortens and tightens from activities like sprinting or cycling, it can pull on the vertebrae, generating a sensation of tightness in the low back. The good news is that stretching out the hip flexors can relieve a lot of lower back pain. Once you are warmed up, and after every workout, you should stretch your psoas. 

More images and information at http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Back-Pain-Relief-Stretch-Your-Hip-Flexors-3368118


Related Links
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306769,00.html
http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/back-pain-home-remedies
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/america-asks-13/12-back-pain-tips http://www.everydayhealth.com/back-pain-pictures/ways-to-ease-back-pain.aspx

Spinal Disorder, Injuries and Treatments

Image Source: http://lookfordiagnosis.com/mesh_info.php?term=spinal+diseases&lang=1

Spinal or back diseases frequently cause discomfort when bone changes put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. They can also limit movement. Treatments differ by disease, but sometimes they consist of back braces and surgery. To some patients, minimally invasive spine surgery has likely to treat spinal diseases and disorders through much smaller incisions and with less tissue partition.

Leading clinical studies that examine outcomes of minimally invasive procedures to see to what range they differ from standard open techniques. Spinal nerve and cord function is checked routinely during surgery to prevent injury to vital neurological structures. The total goals of treatment are pain relief, prevention of paralysis and restoration of functional capability.

Detailed information at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spineinjuriesanddisorders.html

Related Links:
http://neurosurgery.med.miami.edu/clinical-subspecialties/the-spine-institute/spinal-degenerative-disease
http://neurosurgery.ucsf.edu/index.php/neurospinal_disorders.html
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/causes-of-back-pain
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/neurological_institute/spine/diseases-conditions-anatomy/spine

Video: About Spine Institute of San Diego (SIOSD)

Video About Spine Institute of San Diego a.k.a... by siosd

At Alvarado Hospital's Advanced Spine Institute, we are committed in providing a groundbreaking approach to comprehensive spine care that is unsurpassed. We've joined some of the area's best board-certified experts with leading-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment, as well as a full range of devoted support specialists all under one roof. Our goal is to improve your spinal health and get you back in appreciating your everyday activities.

"Our goal at the Spine Institute of San Diego is to maximize function through muscle preservation and strengthening. We have a state-of-the-art fitness program that targets the spinal muscles. If surgery is required, we employ the latest endoscopic minimally invasive techniques to preserve muscle function. We also specialize in disc replacement and joint preservation surgeries".

Kamshad Raiszadeh, M.D.
Paul D. Kim, M.D.
Choll W. Kim, M.D., P.h.D.
Ramin Raiszadeh, M.D.


More info at http://sdspineinstitute.com/about-us.html

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Image Source:http://www.acsneuro.com/patient_resources/minimally_invasive_surgery

Below are the summary of benefits of MIS:

Less Pain
MIS process cause less post-operative discomfort and pain.

Shorter Hospital Stay
Decreased span of hospital stay and most MIS procedures are usually accompany with a 23 hour discharge or scheduled outpatient surgery

Less Scarring and Increased safety
MIS procedures require only smaller slits -- which means smaller, less obvious scars. With smaller incisions, there’s less trauma to the body and far less blood loss

Less Injury to Tissue
Most old-fashioned surgeries require a long incision. This incision usually has to be made through muscle. Muscle needs a significant time to heal after surgery.

Higher Accuracy Rate
A higher accuracy rate for most procedures. Because MIS procedures use video-assisted equipment, the surgeon has better visualization and magnification of internal organs and structure.

Faster recovery
Though recovery from traditional surgeries normally takes six to eight weeks, patients who have go through minimally invasive procedures typically recover in only two.


Read more at Benefits of Minimally Invasive Procedures via The University of Chicago Medicine

When is Spine Surgery Necessary?

Image Source: http://www.medicalexhibits.com/obrasky/2006/06919_06W.jpg

The believed of having any surgical process fills most people with a sense of fear and anxiety. This is particularly correct of surgery on the spine. A surge of “what ifs” will immediately flow through one’s mind at the plain suggestion of such an intervention. This is particularly true given several articles in recent years telling many types of these surgeries being less than successful, not to discuss personal stories imparted by loved ones and associates of less than ideal outcomes .

Spine surgery is evidently necessary when you have emergency symptoms like loss of control of bowel and bladder function, weakness and numbness in an arm or leg. If you don’t address these symptoms quickly and with surgery, the signs can become permanent.

But at times, with other symptoms, non-surgical options — like anti-inflammatory medication, tailored stretches and spinal injections — can be very effective. The use of pain medication and nerve alleviating drugs may also improve recovery. The use of correct stretching techniques need to be used in performance with medication if severe enough pain continues to significantly impact the patient’s quality of life.

Failing these medications by mouth, an MRI or CAT scan may be point out based on the clinical presentation of pain distribution. From these radio-graphic images we may added correlate structural findings with the presentation of pain and suffering.

Many times the findings aren’t specific enough to completely know the source of the symptoms. A presentation of neck or low back pain as an example is often merged with different proportions of nerve symptoms. When this is the case it is important to try and change these symptoms as diagnostic and/or therapeutic interventions help the prediction as to whether a specific surgical procedure will fully or partially resolve the symptoms.

The communication of the intricacy of any part of decision making on the part of the specialist helps the patient better appreciate the indications and potential of any discussed intervention. The potential upside and downside of any intervention will bring out patient risk factors, hopefully aiding the patient to get a head start in addressing some of these factors including poorly controlled diabetes and smoking. Failing to improve clinically in the context of the natural history and aggressive conservative care including pain management specialist interventions often pushes the conversation toward a more forceful tact.

Full Details at http://www.taconicspine.com/about_us/surgery.html

Related articles:
http://www.pennmedicine.org/health_info/lowbackpain/000420.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/back-surgery/art-20048274

6 Types of Back Surgery: Benefits and Risks

Image via http://www.back-surgery.com/types/

Each type of back surgery derives with its own risks and benefits.

Spinal Fusion. Spinal fusion is the most common surgery for back pain. In a spinal fusion, a surgeon connects spinal bones, called vertebrae, together. This limits gesture between the bones of the spine. Fusion also limits the widening of nerves. Reduced spinal motion does not expressively limit activity for most people. One risk distinctive to spinal fusion surgery is incomplete fusion of the vertebrae. That can require additional surgery. While incomplete fusion is uncommon, smoking does escalate the risk. Smoking also increases the risk of infection after back surgery.

Laminectomy. In a laminectomy, a surgeon take out parts of the bone, bone spurs, or ligaments in the back. This releases pressure on spinal nerves that may be producing pain or weakness. A laminectomy, however, can cause the spine to be less stable. If the spinal bones become unsteady, a spinal fusion is usually done. Spinal fusion may also be executed at the same time as laminectomy.

Foraminotomy. During a foraminotomy, a surgeon cuts away bone at the sides of vertebrae to widen the space where nerve roots exit the spine. The engorged space may relieve pressure on the nerves, thereby releasing pain. A foraminotomy can occasionally result in abridged stability of the spine, similar to what happens in a laminectomy. A spinal fusion may be process at the same time. Doing so increases the amount of time needed for recovery but also inhibits the spine from becoming unstable. If the spine becomes unsteady after a foraminotomy, a spinal fusion can be done to correct the problem.

Discectomy. A protruding or "slipped" disc, the cushion that splits vertebrae, may press on a spinal nerve and cause back pain. In a discectomy, the surgeon eliminates all or part of the disc. A discectomy can be done through a large cut or through a smaller incision using tools from outside the body. A discectomy can be part of a larger surgery that includes laminectomy, foraminotomy, or spinal fusion.

Disc Replacement. In synthetic disc replacement, a surgeon removes a impaired spinal disc and inserts an artificial disc between the vertebrae. Disc replacement permits constant motion of the spine. It is gaining acceptance as an alternative to spinal fusion. Recovery time for a disc replacement may be shorter than for a spinal fusion in many people. As with any external object placed inside the body, there is a small risk of the device dislocating or deteriorating.

Interlaminar Implant. Another substitute to spinal fusion is the insert of a U-shaped device. This device is positioned between two back bones in the lower back and helps keep the space between. The procedure can be done at the same time as a laminectomy and surgical aid of pressure on the spinal nerves. Unlike spinal fusion, the implant delivers stability without completely confining motion. It does limit backward bending in the region where it’s placed, which helps to ease signs of spinal stenosis.

For most people, the main threat of back surgery is not achieving good relief from back pain after the surgery. Unluckily, this risk is hard to foresee or avoid. By openly talking to your surgeon which can help you know what to anticipate from back surgery.

Definition of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery is a type of surgery reducing the surgical slits to reduce trauma to the body. This surgery is typically implemented using thin-needles and an endoscope to visually guide the surgery. 

The main goal of minimally invasive surgery is to lessen postoperative pain and blood loss, lessen scarring and for faster recovery. For example, several minimally invasive spine fusion surgery devices have been intended with the objective of letting placement of pedicle screws and rods into the spine using several smaller openings rather than the one longer cut used in open spinal fusion surgery. The theory is that the screws and rods are positioned into the spine with minimal trauma to the muscle and tendons in the back.

You can also check the overview of Minimally invasive surgery also known as MIS  at http://sdspineinstitute.com/minimally-invasive-surgery.html